Optical master unit alarm collector and translator

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented system includes the following. A remote terminal unit (RTU) is configured to receive alarm information and communicate alarm event information to a control center. An optical master unit (OMU) is configured to receive alarm information from sensors at remote locations. A circuit board is configured to serve as a middle device between the RTU and the OMU. A circuit board includes a microcontroller that communicates with the OMU and processes replies from the OMU to confirm the existence of and identify the type of an alarm at a particular remote location. The circuit board also includes multiple output relays connected to the RTU and corresponding to remote alarms, each output relay associated with a particular sensor at a remote location. The computer-implemented system also includes an input relay for communicating with the OMU.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure applies to the field of alarm systems.Telecommunications buildings are typically monitored using an alarmmonitoring system or simply a remote terminal unit. After collection ofalarm status information, the status of the alarms can be transmitted toa communications control center, where operators can take action basedon received information. Monitoring the status of alarms at remotelocations can be challenging. Monitoring remote alarms may requireexpensive upgrades. For example, laying new fiber for a remote site canbe very costly, in addition to the cost of new equipment that isinstalled at the remote location.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes techniques that can be used for anoptical master unit alarm collector and translator. In someimplementations, a computer-implemented system includes the following. Aremote terminal unit (RTU) is configured to receive alarm informationand communicate alarm event information to a control center. An opticalmaster unit (OMU) is configured to receive alarm information fromsensors at remote locations. A circuit board is configured to serve as amiddle device between the RTU and the OMU. A circuit board includes amicrocontroller that communicates with the OMU and processes repliesfrom the OMU to confirm the existence of and identify the type of analarm at a particular remote location. The circuit board also includesmultiple output relays connected to the RTU and corresponding to remotealarms, each output relay associated with a particular sensor at aremote location. The computer-implemented system also includes an inputrelay for communicating with the OMU.

The previously described implementation is implementable using acomputer-implemented method; a non-transitory, computer-readable mediumstoring computer-readable instructions to perform thecomputer-implemented method; and a computer-implemented systemcomprising a computer memory interoperably coupled with a hardwareprocessor configured to perform the computer-implemented method/theinstructions stored on the non-transitory, computer-readable medium.

Implementations described in this disclosure can realize one or more ofthe following advantages. First, use of the techniques in the presentdisclosure can avoid the need to lay new fiber cable for a remote siteand can avoid the cost of installing new equipment in a remote location.Second, use of the techniques in the present disclosure can prevent theneed for required upgrades of auxiliary systems over time. Third, use ofthe techniques in the present disclosure can provide modular expansionsfor existing and future additions of alarm systems with simpleinstallation and minimal cost. Fourth, use of the techniques in thepresent disclosure can reduce the duration of communications shelters'failures by facilitating quick and timely responses to failure events intelecommunications systems. Fifth, use of the techniques in the presentdisclosure can provide quick and timely responses to fire incidents intelecommunications shelters.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter of thisspecification are set forth in the Detailed Description, theaccompanying drawings, and the claims. Other features, aspects, andadvantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the DetailedDescription, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a telecommunications building alarmlayout, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a configuration of atelecommunications building and a remote telecommunications shelter,according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a configuration of atelecommunications building and a remote telecommunications shelter,according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of a configuration of atelecommunications building and a remote telecommunications shelter,according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a configuration of atelecommunications building and a remote telecommunications shelter,according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for checkingalarms, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing examples of components of a circuit,according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for communicatingalarm information using a circuit board, according to someimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system usedto provide computational functionalities associated with describedalgorithms, methods, functions, processes, flows, and procedures asdescribed in the instant disclosure, according to some implementationsof the present disclosure.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various figures indicatelike elements

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes techniques for an optical master unitalarm collector and translator. For example, an electronic circuit canbe used to communicate through an RS-232 connection to an optical masterunit (OMU) to retrieve alarm status of the OMU itself and alarm statusof the OMU's remotely-connected wireless nodes. The electronic circuitcan translate the alarm status to an alarm monitoring system (AMS), forexample, a Valmet or General Electric D25 or other AMS commonly used inthe telecommunications industry. Various modifications, alterations, andpermutations of the disclosed implementations can be made and will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the generalprinciples defined may be applied to other implementations andapplications, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Insome instances, details unnecessary to obtain an understanding of thedescribed subject matter may be omitted so as to not obscure one or moredescribed implementations with unnecessary detail and inasmuch as suchdetails are within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art. Thepresent disclosure is not intended to be limited to the described orillustrated implementations, but is intended to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the described principles and features.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a telecommunications building alarmlayout 100, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.For example, alarms 102 in a building (for example, a telecommunicationsbuilding 104) can be collected by a remote terminal unit (RTU) 106 andthen transmitted to a control center 108 through a digital accesscarrier system (DACS) system 110 and a synchronous digital hierarchy(SDH) system 112. The SDH system 112 can be linked to the control center108 through fiber optic cables. Telecommunications building 104 can bemonitored by an alarm monitoring device (AMD) or simply the RTU 106.Equipment inside the telecommunications building 104 can providetwo-wire dry contacts that are connected to the RTU 106 to signal analarm. For example, if power is cut off from the telecommunicationsbuilding 104, rectifier contacts can close, indicating a “rectifierfailure” to the RTU 106. Similarly, other equipment can signal itsstatus. Other equipment can include, for example, a fire alarm, abuilding high temperature alarm, and other alarms positioned throughoutthe telecommunications building 104.

Alarm monitoring systems that are included in the telecommunicationsbuilding 104 can include, for example, the VALMET Remote Terminal Unitand the General Electric D25. As status information is collected fromthe alarms, the alarm monitoring system can transmit the statusinformation to a communications control center, for example, the controlcenter 108, where the alarm status information can be used (and thealarms monitored) by operators who can take action when an alarm isreceived.

Communications to the control center 108 from the RTU 106 can beaccomplished through the DACS 110, which can in turn send its collectedinformation to the SDH system 112. The SDH system 112 can then transmitthe information to the control center 108, for example, through opticalfiber cables.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a configuration 200 of atelecommunications building 104 and a remote telecommunications shelter202, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. Aradio repeater 204 (for example, a BSF 3604/4004 radio repeater) can beinstalled in the remote telecommunications shelter 202 to extend radiocoverage in an area surrounding the telecommunications shelter 202. Theremote telecommunications shelter 202 can communicate with the nearestTerrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) base station (for example, thetelecommunications building 104) through a single-strand fiber link 206to an optical master unit (OMU) 208. The OMU 208 can serve as amanagement interface between the repeater 204 and a local TETRA basestation 210.

TETRA solutions can be used in many communications systems. In someremote locations, a repeater system can be installed that is linkedthrough fiber to a TETRA base station to extend the radio coverage tothe remote area. An example of a repeated system is the Axell WirelessBSF 3604/4004 TETRA repeater.

In some implementations, the remote repeater can be linked to thetelecommunications building 104 through a single strand of fiberterminating at the OMU 208, for example, if provided by the same vendor.The OMU 208 can then communicate the radio traffic to the TETRA basestation 210.

Alarms can be collected from multiple sources in the telecommunicationsbuilding 104, including alarms in the TETRA base station. However, withthe existing setup, it is not possible to collect alarms from the remoteshelter. To collect additional alarms, RTU, DACS and SDH systems need tobe installed in the remote shelter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a configuration 300 of atelecommunications building 104 and a remote telecommunications shelter302, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. In theconfiguration 300, in order to facilitate reading alarms from the remotetelecommunications shelter 302, a double-strand fiber link 303 can beadded for communication in addition to an RTU system 304, a DACS system306, and an SDH system 308. This setup is a conventional way of linkingalarms from one point to another.

In the configuration 300, the radio repeater 204 is managed by the OMU208, as opposed to interfacing directly with the SDH 112. This solution,however, is not convenient for an existing system, as major expensiveupgrades are required to be done. First, laying new fiber for a remotesite is typically very costly. This cost is in addition to the cost ofthe new equipment installed in the remote telecommunications shelter302. Second, the additional equipment in the remote telecommunicationsshelter 302 can require upgrades to the auxiliary systems alreadyinstalled such as the backup battery system and the heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which in turn canresult in the need to expand the shelter itself, adding more costoverhead.

Alternative techniques can be used for collecting alarms from the remoterepeater. For example, both the radio repeater 204 and the OMU system208 can be accessed locally through a serial RS-232. The access canenable a person to communicate with the devices through terminalinstructions using, for example, a laptop computer. This communicationcan allow modifications and status checks of the devices. The statuschecks can include, for example, checking for internal alarm status ofthe units (such as cabinet door status of the radio repeater 204) andhigh temperature alarm status of the OMU system 208. Moreover, theremote repeater can have the capability to accept four external alarms,for example, named EX1, EX2, EX3, and EX4. The alarm entry points can beconnected to other devices in the shelter such as a rectifier, smokedetector alarms, and an HVAC system. The status of these external entrypoints can also be checked through terminal instructions from the laptopcomputer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of a configuration 400 of atelecommunications building 104 and a remote telecommunications shelter402, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. Theconfiguration 400 can include the use of a terminal program with thevendor instructions, enabling communication with, and management of, theOMU 208 and the radio repeater 204. In addition, information that isreceived from up to four alarms 102 can be read by the remotetelecommunications shelter 402. However, the configuration 400 does notprovide a mechanism to read the information automatically nor a way tolink the alarms 102 to the RTU 106.

The OMU system 208 has the capability to instruct and retrieveinformation from the remote repeater 204. Thus, without the systemmodifications described with reference to FIG. 3, one can manually readalarm status of the remote telecommunications shelter 402 from thetelecommunications building 104. However, this configuration still lacksthe capability to automatically check alarms and transmit the alarmstatus information to the RTU system 106 in the telecommunicationsbuilding 104.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a configuration 500 of atelecommunications building 104 and a remote telecommunications shelter502, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. Theconfiguration 500 can use a local terminal program with the vendorinstructions, enabling communication with and management of the OMU 208and the radio repeater 202. In addition, information from up to fouralarms 102 can be read by the remote telecommunications shelter 502.

The configuration 500 can provide an automatic reading of remote alarmsand transmission to the control center by implementing a circuit board504. For example, the circuit board 504 can serve as a middle devicelinking the OMU system 208 to the RTU system 106 in thetelecommunications building 104. The circuit board 504 can include amicrocontroller that communicates with the OMU system 208 through aserial RS-232 connection that continuously polls the remote repeater foralarms using the required terminal instructions. Then, the circuit board504 can process the replies from the OMU system 208 to confirm theexistence of an alarm 102 at the remote telecommunications shelter 502.After an alarm is detected, the circuit board 504 can operate an onboardrelay that is linked externally to the RTU system 106 through drycontacts. In this way, all four alarms 102 can be read automatically,and the control center can see the status and take necessary actions thenormal way.

The circuit board 504 can be equipped, for example, with five outputrelays. Four output relays 506 can be used for the alarms 102, and oneoutput relay can be used for the OMU system 208 (or for repeaterinternal alarms). The circuit board 504 can also include pushbuttons,indicators, and a graphical liquid crystal display (LCD) display that,when used together, enable interactions by a user that include differentmanipulations and readings of the device status itself.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a method 600 for checkingalarms, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. Thecircuit board 504, for example, can perform method 600. In someimplementations, various steps of method 600 can be run in parallel, incombination, in loops, or in any order, such as to handle multipledevices at the same time.

The circuit board 504 can operate by cycling through the alarm statusfrom the repeater for external alarm sources through an RS-232connection. This will result in either turning on or turning off anassociated relay that is linked to the RTU. The process can repeat forall repeaters connected to the OMU system 208 for all the availableexternal alarms. The OMU system 208 can support up to six remoterepeaters, and each repeater can provide the status of four externalalarms.

At 602, a login occurs, for example, when a device (for example, arepeater) attempts to login to the OMU system 208. From 602, method 600proceeds to 604.

At 604, a determination is made whether the login attempt is successful.From 604, method 600 proceeds to 606 when the login attempt issuccessful. Otherwise, when the login attempt is unsuccessful, method600 proceeds to 602 for another login attempt.

At 606, a device is accessed. The device can be, for example, the radiorepeater 204. From 606, method 600 proceeds to 608.

At 608, an alarm at the device is checked. For example, the alarm thatis checked can be one of the alarms 102 at the remote telecommunicationsshelter 502. From 608, method 600 proceeds to 610.

At 610, a determination is made whether the alarm is triggered. Forexample, the circuit board 504 can request the status of the first alarm(for example, called EX1). The status that is received can be expectedto be either 0 (for no alarm) or 1 (for alarm). From 610, method 600proceeds to 612 if the alarm is triggered. Otherwise, method 600proceeds to 614 if the alarm is not triggered.

At 612, the relay is turned on if the alarm is triggered. For example,“RELAY1” of the output relays 506 can be turned on when an alarm isdetected. From 612, method 600 proceeds to 616

At 614, the relay is turned off if the alarm is not triggered. Forexample, “RELAY1” of the output relays 506 can be turned off when thereno alarm is detected. From 614, method 600 proceeds to 616.

At 616, a determination is made whether all alarms have been checked.From 616, method 600 proceeds to 618 if it has been determined that allalarms for the current device have not been checked.

At 618, the circuit board 504 can move to the next alarm if it has beendetermined that not all alarms have been checked. For example, this ishow the circuit board 504 can loop back and check the next alarm andcontrol the associated output relay. From 616, method 600 proceeds to620 if it has been determined that all alarms for the current devicehave been checked.

At 620, the circuit board 504 can move to the next device if it has beendetermined that all alarms for the current device have been checked. Forexample, when all alarms for the first repeater are checked, the circuitboard 504 can then handle the process for the next repeater. Finally,when all 6 repeaters have been checked, the circuit board 504 can startover from the first repeater and continue processing alarm statuses.From 620, if no more devices need to be accessed, method 600 stops.

The circuit board 504 can be equipped with five output relays 506, withfour output relays being dedicated to alarms EX1 to EX4, and theremaining output relay being used for other types of alarms. Forexample, the other types of alarms can include statuses such as“Communication Loss” or any other device trouble that might beencountered. Because configurations of the OMU system 208 and repeaterscan vary between different installations, it is not necessary to alwaysfind a fixed number of repeaters connected to the OMU system 208.Therefore, the circuit board 504 can accept up to five additionaldaughter modules. The daughter modules can be inserted to the maindevice through on-board connectors that provide five output relays each.For example, if a particular installation has two remote repeaters and asingle OMU, then the device can handle one repeater, and the additionalmodule can handle the next repeater. The main device can perform all thecontrol and operational instructions, but will provide a signal to agiven module that tells the given module what relay to turn on and off.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing examples of components of a circuit700, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. Forexample, the circuit 700 can be the circuit board 504. The circuit 700includes essential components 702 that are considered to be required forthe system to work. The circuit 700 also includes optional components704, including additional components that enable user communication viaan (inter-integrated circuit) (I²C) 706 with other extension devices anda user interface.

Among the essential components 702, the circuit 700 includes a processor708 (for handling communications and commands) and output relays 710 forconnecting to an RTU. The circuit 700 also includes an RS-232 link (forexample, a DB9 connector 712) for communicating, for example, with theOMU system 208) and a power management component 714 to provideregulated power and account for safe operation of the circuit.

Among the optional components 704, the circuit 700 includes additionalcomponents for supporting a user interface (UI). A screen (for example,a graphical LCD screen 716) can display and enable interactions withtextual information. Pushbuttons 718 can provide controls, for example,for navigating menus, and indicator light emitting diodes (LEDs) 720 tovisually show the status of the relays or communications. Moreover, theI²C interface 706 can enable external communications with daughterdevices.

In some implementations, the processor 708 can be the PIC18F6627microcontroller from Microchip. The microcontroller can provide a lot offunctionality and can be programmed using C language. Themicrocontroller can be programmed, for example, using the MikroProgprogrammer from Mikcroelektronica through a 5×2 ribbon connector. Thisconnector can remain during program testing and development.

Relays can be chosen to be dual coil relays. The relays can typically beused for telecommunications applications, such as those manufactured byKemet. The added benefit for using dual coil relays is to avoidoverheating the relay during a long operation time. Given the nature ofalarms, the relay may be held working for several hours or even days,which runs the risk of damaging the relay internally.

The set of four relays can be driven, for example, by a ULN2803ADWRDarlington array. The chip can provide a small footprint, reliablebuffering, and coil protection using internal diodes. The array can bedriven directly from the microcontroller. Finally, the relays can beconnected to a two-layer, 5×2 terminal connector, such as the onemanufactured by Phoenix Contact, to allow easy termination andinstallation. These contacts can be terminated at the OMU system 208through proper wires such as unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables.

A fifth relay can be connected similarly while being driven by adifferent combination of components. The relay can be driven by theQS5W2TR dual transistor IC from Rohm Semiconductor and protected by twoSMA diodes from Diodes Incorporated, namely the S1D-13-F. Thetransistors can be operated by the microcontroller through typical 10 kΩresistors, such as the ones from Yageo.

The OMU system 208 can communicate with the device, for example, throughan RS-232 serial link. This can be accomplished, for example, by using aMAX232 buffer that converts the serial signal to proper voltage levelsbetween the microcontroller and the OMU system 208. The capacitorssurrounding it can be for conversion purposes as proposed by the chipmanufacturer MAXIM-IC. The signals can then travel out of (and into) thedevice through a male DB9 connector to use standard modem cables.

In some implementations, an I²C serial link can be used as acomplementary link, added for the purpose of communicating with externaldevices such as the daughter modules. The communication and clock linkscan be pulled up by 1.5 kΩ resistors to ensure proper operation underthe I²C standard design considerations. Also, a 5×2 right-angled maleheader connector, for example, from Amphenol I²CI, can be deliberatelymade to extend out the board boundaries to connect with an oppositefemale connector from the daughter boards.

The power can be regulated using, for example, a PYB10 DC to DCconverter from CUI that provides excellent power stepped down from 48Vdc to 5 Vdc for circuit operation. The device can get its power, forexample, through a two-position terminal block that provides rigidcontacts to external wires. A series of protection components fortransients and other phenomena can exist between the connector and theconverter. For testing purposes, a 5 mm power jack can be provided topower the device directly from a 5 Vdc supply and can be isolatedthrough a jumper.

A user interface can include a graphical LCD, pushbuttons, and indicatorLEDs to provide a convenient environment for the user. The LCD can beimplemented, for example, using part number CFAG240125L-STI-TZ(providing a 240×128 pixel screen) from Crystalfontz. The LCD can beinterfaced with the device through a 20-wire ribbon cable and ribbonconnector.

The pushbuttons and the LEDs can be general purpose components that aretargeted for direct interactions. The LEDs can be linked to the relaysto indicate their status (ON or OFF) while a given LED can serve toindicate good communications. The pushbuttons can allow the user tochoose options, navigate menus, and conduct general tests.

The circuit board can be manufactured, for example, to fit in aPFF18-4-18 W plastic enclosure from Takashi Electronic Enclosures. Theenclosure's size and dimensions can ease vertical installation andprovide excellent fit for a wide graphical LCD. The layout of thecomponents can be chosen to allow simple connections.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a method 800 forcommunicating alarm information using a circuit board, according to someimplementations of the present disclosure. For clarity of presentation,the description that follows generally describes method 800 in thecontext of the other figures in this description. However, it will beunderstood that method 800 may be performed, for example, by any system,environment, software, and hardware, or a combination of systems,environments, software, and hardware. In some implementations, varioussteps of method 800 can be run in parallel, in combination, in loops, orin any order.

At 802, alarm information is received at an RTU, and the RTUcommunicates alarm event information to a control center. For example,alarm information received by the RTU 106 can be provided to the DACS110 for use by users at the telecommunications building 104. From 802,method 800 proceeds to 804.

At 804, alarm information from sensors at remote locations is receivedat an optical master unit (OMU). As an example, the OMU 208 at thetelecommunications building 104 can receive alarm information from theremote telecommunications shelter 502 though the single strand fiberlink 206. From 804, method 800 proceeds to 806.

At 806, a circuit board is operated that is configured to serve as amiddle device between the RTU and the OMU. For example, the circuitboard 504 can serve as an interface between the RTU 106 and the OMU 208.The operating includes steps 808-812.

At 808, communication occurs, using a microcontroller, between thecircuit board and the OMU, and replies from the OMU are processed toconfirm the existence of and identify the type of an alarm at aparticular remote location. For example, the circuit board 504 can useinformation received from the OMU 208 to determine the status of variousalarms 102 at the remote telecommunications shelter 502. From 808,method 800 proceeds to 810.

At 810, using multiple output relays connected to the RTU andcorresponding to remote alarms, information is communicated from eachoutput relay associated with a particular sensor at a remote location.As an example, the circuit board 504 can use various ones of the outputrelays 506 to inform the RTU 106 of the status of corresponding alarms102. From 810, method 800 proceeds to 812.

At 812, using an input relay, communication occurs between the circuitboard and the OMU. For example, the circuit board 504 can use an input,such as using an RS-232 link, to receive information from the OMU 208.From 812, method 800 stops.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example computer system 900 used toprovide computational functionalities associated with describedalgorithms, methods, functions, processes, flows, and procedures, asdescribed in the instant disclosure, according to some implementationsof the present disclosure. The illustrated computer 902 is intended toencompass any computing device such as a server, desktop computer,laptop/notebook computer, wireless data port, smart phone, personal dataassistant (PDA), tablet computing device, one or more processors withinthese devices, or any other processing device, including physical orvirtual instances (or both) of the computing device. Additionally, thecomputer 902 may comprise a computer that includes an input device, suchas a keypad, keyboard, or touch screen that can accept user information,and an output device that conveys information associated with theoperation of the computer 902, including digital data, visual, or audioinformation (or a combination of information), or a graphical-type userinterface (UI) (or GUI).

The computer 902 can serve in a role as a client, network component, aserver, a database, a persistency, or any other component (or acombination of roles) of a computer system for performing the subjectmatter described in the instant disclosure. The illustrated computer 902is communicably coupled with a network 930. In some implementations, oneor more components of the computer 902 may be configured to operatewithin environments, including cloud-computing-based, local, or globalenvironment (or a combination of environments).

The computer 902 is an electronic computing device operable to receive,transmit, process, store, or manage data and information associated withthe described subject matter. According to some implementations, thecomputer 902 may also include or be communicably coupled with anapplication server, email server, web server, caching server, orstreaming data server (or a combination of servers).

The computer 902 can receive requests over network 930 from a clientapplication (for example, executing on another computer 902) and respondto the received requests by processing the received requests usingsoftware applications. In addition, requests may also be sent to thecomputer 902 from internal users (for example, from a command console oranother access method), external or third-parties, other automatedapplications, as well as entities, individuals, systems, or computers.

Each of the components of the computer 902 can communicate using asystem bus 903. In some implementations, any or all of the components ofthe computer 902, hardware or software (or a combination of bothhardware and software), may interface with each other or the interface904 (or a combination of both), over the system bus 903 using anapplication programming interface (API) 912 or a service layer 913 (or acombination of the API 912 and service layer 913). The API 912 mayinclude specifications for routines, data structures, and objectclasses. The API 912 may be either computer-language independent ordependent and refer to a complete interface, a single function, or evena set of APIs. The service layer 913 provides software services to thecomputer 902 and other components (whether or not illustrated) that arecommunicably coupled to the computer 902. The functionality of thecomputer 902 may be accessible for all service consumers using thisservice layer. Software services, such as those provided by the servicelayer 913, provide reusable, defined functionalities through a definedinterface. For example, the interface may be software written in JAVA,C++, or another language providing data in extensible markup language(XML) format. While illustrated as an integrated component of thecomputer 902, alternative implementations may illustrate the API 912 orthe service layer 913 as stand-alone components in relation to othercomponents of the computer 902 and other components (whether or notillustrated) that are communicably coupled to the computer 902.Moreover, any or all parts of the API 912 or the service layer 913 maybe implemented as child or sub-modules of another software module,enterprise application, or hardware module without departing from thescope of this disclosure.

The computer 902 includes an interface 904. Although illustrated as asingle interface 904 in FIG. 9, two or more interfaces 904 may be usedaccording to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations ofthe computer 902. The interface 904 is used by the computer 902 forcommunicating with other systems that are connected to the network 930(whether illustrated or not) in a distributed environment. Generally,the interface 904 comprises logic encoded in software or hardware (or acombination of software and hardware) and is operable to communicatewith the network 930. More specifically, the interface 904 may comprisesoftware supporting one or more communication protocols associated withcommunications such that the network 930 or interface's hardware isoperable to communicate physical signals within and outside of theillustrated computer 902.

The computer 902 includes a processor 905. Although illustrated as asingle processor 905 in FIG. 9, two or more processors may be usedaccording to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations ofthe computer 902. Generally, the processor 905 executes instructions andmanipulates data to perform the operations of the computer 902 and anyalgorithms, methods, functions, processes, flows, and procedures asdescribed in the instant disclosure.

The computer 902 also includes a database 906 that can hold data for thecomputer 902 and other components (or a combination of both) that can beconnected to the network 930 (whether illustrated or not). For example,database 906 can be an in-memory or conventional database storing dataconsistent with this disclosure. In some implementations, database 906can be a combination of two or more different database types (forexample, a hybrid in-memory and conventional database) according toparticular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer902 and the described functionality. Although illustrated as a singledatabase 906 in FIG. 9, two or more databases (of the same orcombination of types) can be used according to particular needs,desires, or particular implementations of the computer 902 and thedescribed functionality. While database 906 is illustrated as anintegral component of the computer 902, in alternative implementations,database 906 can be external to the computer 902.

The computer 902 also includes a memory 907 that can hold data for thecomputer 902 and other components (or a combination of both) that can beconnected to the network 930 (whether illustrated or not). Memory 907can store any data consistent with this disclosure. In someimplementations, memory 907 can be a combination of two or moredifferent types of memory (for example, a combination of semiconductorand magnetic storage) according to particular needs, desires, orparticular implementations of the computer 902 and the describedfunctionality. Although illustrated as a single memory 907 in FIG. 9,two or more memories 907 (of the same or combination of types) can beused according to particular needs, desires, or particularimplementations of the computer 902 and the described functionality.While memory 907 is illustrated as an integral component of the computer902, in alternative implementations, memory 907 can be external to thecomputer 902.

The application 908 is an algorithmic software engine providingfunctionality according to particular needs, desires, or particularimplementations of the computer 902, particularly with respect tofunctionality described in this disclosure. For example, application 908can serve as one or more components, modules, or applications. Further,although illustrated as a single application 908, the application 908may be implemented as multiple applications 908 on the computer 902. Inaddition, although illustrated as integral to the computer 902, inalternative implementations, the application 908 can be external to thecomputer 902.

The computer 902 can also include a power supply 914. The power supply914 can include a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery that can beconfigured to be either user- or non-user-replaceable. In someimplementations, the power supply 914 can include power-conversion ormanagement circuits (including recharging, standby, or a different powermanagement functionality). In some implementations, the power-supply 914can include a power plug to allow the computer 902 to be plugged into awall socket to, for example, power the computer 902 or recharge arechargeable battery.

There may be any number of computers 902 associated with, or externalto, a computer system containing computer 902, each computer 902communicating over network 930. Further, the term “client,” “user,” andother terminology may be used interchangeably without departing from thescope of this disclosure. Moreover, this disclosure contemplates thatmany users may use one computer 902, or that one user may use multiplecomputers 902.

Described implementations of the subject matter can include one or morefeatures, alone or in combination.

For example, in a first implementation, a computer-implemented systemincludes the following. A remote terminal unit (RTU) is configured toreceive alarm information and communicate alarm event information to acontrol center. An optical master unit (OMU) is configured to receivealarm information from sensors at remote locations. A circuit board isconfigured to serve as a middle device between the RTU and the OMU. Acircuit board includes a microcontroller that communicates with the OMUand processes replies from the OMU to confirm the existence of andidentify the type of an alarm at a particular remote location. Thecircuit board also includes multiple output relays connected to the RTUand corresponding to remote alarms, each output relay associated with aparticular sensor at a remote location. The computer-implemented systemalso includes an input relay for communicating with the OMU.

The foregoing and other described implementations can each, optionally,include one or more of the following features:

A first feature, combinable with any of the following features, whereinreceiving alarm information includes polling a remote repeater for thealarm information

A second feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein the polling is through a single strand fiber link.

A third feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein communication with the OMU is through a serial RS-232connection.

A fourth feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein the RTU is an alarm monitoring system.

A fifth feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, further comprising a user interface.

A sixth feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein the user interface includes a graphical liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), pushbuttons, and indicator LEDs.

In a second implementation, a computer-implemented method includes thefollowing. Alarm information is received at an RTU, and alarm eventinformation is communicated to a control center. Alarm information isreceived at an OMU, from sensors at remote locations. A circuit board isoperated that is configured to serve as a middle device between the RTUand the OMU. The operating includes communicating, by the circuit boardand using a microcontroller, with the OMU and processing replies fromthe OMU to confirm the existence of and identify the type of an alarm ata particular remote location. The operating also includes communicating,using multiple output relays connected to the RTU and corresponding toremote alarms, information from each output relay associated with aparticular sensor at a remote location. The operating also includescommunicating, using an input relay, with the OMU.

The foregoing and other described implementations can each, optionally,include one or more of the following features:

A first feature, combinable with any of the following features, whereinreceiving alarm information includes polling a remote repeater for thealarm information.

A second feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein the polling is through a single strand fiber link.

A third feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein communication with the OMU is through a serial RS-232connection.

A fourth feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein the RTU is an alarm monitoring system.

A fifth feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, further comprising receiving user input through a userinterface.

A sixth feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein the user interface includes a graphical liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), pushbuttons, and indicator LEDs.

In a third implementation, a non-transitory, computer-readable mediumstoring one or more instructions executable by a computer system toperform operations comprising the following. Alarm information isreceived at an RTU, and alarm event information is communicated to acontrol center. Alarm information is received at an OMU, from sensors atremote locations. A circuit board is operated that is configured toserve as a middle device between the RTU and the OMU. The operatingincludes communicating, by the circuit board and using amicrocontroller, with the OMU and processing replies from the OMU toconfirm the existence of and identify the type of an alarm at aparticular remote location. The operating also includes communicating,using multiple output relays connected to the RTU and corresponding toremote alarms, information from each output relay associated with aparticular sensor at a remote location. The operating also includescommunicating, using an input relay, with the OMU.

The foregoing and other described implementations can each, optionally,include one or more of the following features:

A first feature, combinable with any of the following features, whereinreceiving alarm information includes polling a remote repeater for thealarm information.

A second feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein the polling is through a single strand fiber link.

A third feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein communication with the OMU is through a serial RS-232connection.

A fourth feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, wherein the RTU is an alarm monitoring system.

A fifth feature, combinable with any of the previous or followingfeatures, the operations further comprising receiving user input througha user interface.

The foregoing and other described implementations can each, optionally,include one or more of the following features:

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this specification can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, in tangibly embodied computer software or firmware, incomputer hardware, including the structures disclosed in thisspecification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations ofone or more of them. Software implementations of the described subjectmatter can be implemented as one or more computer programs, that is, oneor more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible,non-transitory, computer-readable computer-storage medium for executionby, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.Alternatively, or additionally, the program instructions can be encodedin/on an artificially generated propagated signal, for example, amachine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal that isgenerated to encode information for transmission to receiver apparatusfor execution by a data processing apparatus. The computer-storagemedium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readablestorage substrate, a random or serial access memory device, or acombination of computer-storage mediums.

The terms “data processing apparatus,” “computer,” or “electroniccomputer device” (or equivalent as understood by one of ordinary skillin the art) refer to data processing hardware and encompass all kinds ofapparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by wayof example, a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processorsor computers. The apparatus can also be, or further include specialpurpose logic circuitry, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC). In some implementations, the data processingapparatus or special purpose logic circuitry (or a combination of thedata processing apparatus or special purpose logic circuitry) may behardware- or software-based (or a combination of both hardware- andsoftware-based). The apparatus can optionally include code that createsan execution environment for computer programs, for example, code thatconstitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database managementsystem, an operating system, or a combination of execution environments.The present disclosure contemplates the use of data processingapparatuses with or without conventional operating systems, for example,LINUX, UNIX, WINDOWS, MAC OS, ANDROID, IOS, or any other conventionaloperating system.

A computer program, which may also be referred to or described as aprogram, software, a software application, a module, a software module,a script, or code can be written in any form of programming language. Acomputer program can include compiled or interpreted languages, ordeclarative or procedural languages. A computer program can be deployedin any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module,component, or subroutine for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. Aprogram can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programsor data, for example, one or more scripts stored in a markup languagedocument, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or inmultiple coordinated files, for example, files that store one or moremodules, sub-programs, or portions of code. A computer program can bedeployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers thatare located at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network. While portions of theprograms illustrated in the various figures are shown as individualmodules that implement the various features and functionality throughvarious objects, methods, or processes, the programs may instead includea number of sub-modules, third-party services, components, or libraries.Conversely, the features and functionality of various components can becombined into single components. Thresholds used to make computationaldeterminations can be statically, dynamically, or both statically anddynamically determined.

The methods, processes, or logic flows described in this specificationcan be performed by one or more programmable computers executing one ormore computer programs to perform functions by operating on input dataand generating output. The methods, processes, or logic flows can alsobe performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, specialpurpose logic circuitry, for example, a CPU, an FPGA, or an ASIC.

Computers that can be used for the execution of a computer program canbe based on general or special purpose microprocessors, both, or anyother kind of CPU. Generally, a CPU will receive instructions and datafrom and write to a memory. The essential elements of a computer are aCPU, for performing or executing instructions, and one or more memorydevices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer willalso include, or be operatively coupled to, receive data from ortransfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storingdata, for example, magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks.However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer canbe embedded in another device, for example, a mobile telephone, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a gameconsole, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, or a portablestorage device, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive,to name just a few.

Computer-readable media (transitory or non-transitory) for storingcomputer program instructions and data includes all forms ofpermanent/non-permanent or volatile/non-volatile memory, media andmemory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory(ROM), phase change memory (PRAM), static random access memory (SRAM),dynamic random access memory (DRAM), erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), and flash memory devices; magnetic devices, for example, tape,cartridges, cassettes, internal/removable disks; magneto-optical disks;and optical memory devices, for example, digital video disc (DVD),CD-ROM, DVD+/−R, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, HD-DVD, and BLURAY, and other opticalmemory technologies. The memory may store various objects or data,including caches, classes, frameworks, applications, modules, backupdata, jobs, web pages, web page templates, data structures, databasetables, repositories storing dynamic information, and any otherinformation including any parameters, variables, algorithms,instructions, rules, constraints, or references. Additionally, thememory may include any other data, such as logs, policies, security oraccess data, reporting files, as well as others. The processor and thememory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logiccircuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subjectmatter described in this specification can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquidcrystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED), or plasma monitor,for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice, for example, a mouse, trackball, or trackpad by which the usercan provide input to the computer. Input may also be provided to thecomputer using a touchscreen, such as a tablet computer surface withpressure sensitivity, or a multi-touch screen using capacitive orelectric sensing. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback, for example, visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Inaddition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents toand receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; forexample, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's client devicein response to requests received from the web browser.

The term “graphical user interface,” or “GUI,” may be used in thesingular or the plural to describe one or more graphical user interfacesand each of the displays of a particular graphical user interface.Therefore, a GUI may represent any graphical user interface, includingbut not limited to, a web browser, a touch screen, or a command lineinterface (CLI) that processes information and efficiently presents theinformation results to the user. In general, a GUI may include aplurality of user interface (UI) elements, some or all associated with aweb browser, such as interactive fields, pull-down lists, and buttons.These and other UI elements may be related to or represent the functionsof the web browser.

Implementations of the subject matter described in this specificationcan be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-endcomponent, for example, as a data server, or that includes a middlewarecomponent, for example, an application server, or that includes afront-end component, for example, a client computer having a graphicaluser interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact withsome implementations of the subject matter described in thisspecification, or any combination of one or more such back-end,middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can beinterconnected by any form or medium of wireline or wireless digitaldata communication (or a combination of data communication), forexample, a communication network. Examples of communication networksinclude a local area network (LAN), a radio access network (RAN), ametropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX), a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) using, for example, 802.11 a/b/g/n or 802.20 (or acombination of 802.11x and 802.20), all or a portion of the Internet, orany other communication system or systems at one or more locations (or acombination of communication networks). The network may communicatewith, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, Frame Relay frames,Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells, voice, video, or data (or acombination of communication types) between network addresses.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

Cluster file system involved in the present disclosure can be any filesystem type accessible from multiple servers for read and update.Locking or consistency tracking is not necessary since the locking ofexchange file system can be done at application layer. Furthermore,Unicode data files are different from non-Unicode data files.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the presentdisclosure or on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather asdescriptions of features that may be specific to particularimplementations. Certain features that are described in thisspecification in the context of separate implementations can also beimplemented, in combination, in a single implementation. Conversely,various features that are described in the context of a singleimplementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations,separately, or in any sub-combination. Moreover, although previouslydescribed features may be described as acting in certain combinationsand even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimedcombination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and theclaimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation ofa sub-combination.

Particular implementations of the subject matter have been described.Other implementations, alterations, and permutations of the describedimplementations are within the scope of the following claims as will beapparent to those skilled in the art. While operations are depicted inthe drawings or claims in a particular order, this should not beunderstood as requiring that such operations be performed in theparticular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustratedoperations be performed (some operations may be considered optional), toachieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking orparallel processing (or a combination of multitasking and parallelprocessing) may be advantageous.

Moreover, the separation or integration of various system modules andcomponents in the previously described implementations should not beunderstood as requiring such separation or integration in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the described programcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singlesoftware product or packaged into multiple software products.

Accordingly, the previously described example implementations do notdefine or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, andalterations are also possible without departing from the spirit andscope of this disclosure.

Furthermore, any claimed implementation is considered to be applicableto at least a computer-implemented method; a non-transitory,computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions toperform the computer-implemented method; and a computer systemcomprising a computer memory interoperably coupled with a hardwareprocessor configured to perform the computer-implemented method or theinstructions stored on the non-transitory, computer-readable medium.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented system, comprising: aremote terminal unit (RTU) configured to receive alarm information andcommunicate alarm event information to a control center; an opticalmaster unit (OMU) configured to receive alarm information from sensorsat remote locations; and a circuit board configured to serve as a middledevice between the RTU and the OMU and comprising: a microcontrollerthat communicates with the OMU and processes replies from the OMU toconfirm the existence of and identify the type of an alarm at aparticular remote location; multiple output relays connected to the RTUand corresponding to remote alarms, each output relay associated with aparticular sensor at a remote location; and an input relay forcommunicating with the OMU.
 2. The computer-implemented system of claim1, wherein receiving alarm information includes polling a remoterepeater for the alarm information.
 3. The computer-implemented systemof claim 2, wherein the polling is through a single strand fiber link.4. The computer-implemented system of claim 1, wherein communicationwith the OMU is through a serial RS-232 connection.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented system of claim 1, wherein the RTU is an alarmmonitoring system.
 6. The computer-implemented system of claim 1,further comprising a user interface.
 7. The computer-implemented systemof claim 6, wherein the user interface includes a graphical liquidcrystal display (LCD), pushbuttons, and indicator LEDs.
 8. Acomputer-implemented method, comprising: receiving, at a remote terminalunit (RTU), alarm information and communicating alarm event informationto a control center; receiving, at an optical master unit (OMU), alarminformation from sensors at remote locations; and operating a circuitboard configured to serve as a middle device between the RTU and theOMU, the operating comprising: communicating, by the circuit board andusing a microcontroller, with the OMU and processing replies from theOMU to confirm the existence of and identify the type of an alarm at aparticular remote location; communicating, using multiple output relaysconnected to the RTU and corresponding to remote alarms, informationfrom each output relay associated with a particular sensor at a remotelocation; and communicating, using an input relay, with the OMU.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein receiving alarminformation includes polling a remote repeater for the alarminformation.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein thepolling is through a single strand fiber link.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein communication with theOMU is through a serial RS-232 connection.
 12. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 8, wherein the RTU is an alarm monitoring system. 13.The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprising receivinguser input through a user interface.
 14. The computer-implemented methodof claim 13, wherein the user interface includes a graphical liquidcrystal display (LCD), pushbuttons, and indicator LEDs.
 15. Anon-transitory, computer-readable medium storing one or moreinstructions executable by a computer system to perform operationscomprising: receiving, at a remote terminal unit (RTU), alarminformation and communicating alarm event information to a controlcenter; receiving, at an optical master unit (OMU), alarm informationfrom sensors at remote locations; and operating a circuit boardconfigured to serve as a middle device between the RTU and the OMU, theoperating comprising: communicating, by the circuit board and using amicrocontroller, with the OMU and processing replies from the OMU toconfirm the existence of and identify the type of an alarm at aparticular remote location; communicating, using multiple output relaysconnected to the RTU and corresponding to remote alarms, informationfrom each output relay associated with a particular sensor at a remotelocation; and communicating, using an input relay, with the OMU.
 16. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein receivingalarm information includes polling a remote repeater for the alarminformation.
 17. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim16, wherein the polling is through a single strand fiber link.
 18. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 15, whereincommunication with the OMU is through a serial RS-232 connection. 19.The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theRTU is an alarm monitoring system.
 20. The non-transitory,computer-readable medium of claim 15, the operations further comprisingreceiving user input through a user interface.